Sections

Size matters in the future evolution of compact ultrasoundFebruary 26, 2014 -- Compact or handheld ultrasound systems are now used across an array of specialties and clinical applications, often generating demand for ultrasound where none had existed. What's next? Possibilities abound, but a role as the stethoscope of the future isn't likely to be one of them, according to Stephen Holloway of consulting firm IHS.

Canadian ob/gyns, rads target entertainment ultrasoundFebruary 20, 2014 -- The growing use of fetal ultrasound for nonmedical purposes has prompted two Canadian medical societies to issue a statement against the scans, which have been linked to gender-specific abortion in the country.

Why does breast US find cancers mammography doesn't?February 20, 2014 -- Most breast cancers detected at screening ultrasound are not seen on mammograms, even in retrospect, which suggests that supplemental screening with ultrasound is beneficial for high-risk women -- especially those with dense tissue, according to a new study published in the February issue of Radiology.

ACC, others call for patient-centric heart imagingFebruary 18, 2014 -- Noninvasive cardiovascular imaging decisions must become more patient-centric and individualized, according to a statement from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) that was endorsed by 14 other medical societies.

EHR alerts boost participation in AAA screeningFebruary 12, 2014 -- Many men who are at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) unfortunately don't get screened for the often deadly condition. But Kaiser Permanente in California has found a way to reach more of them by integrating alerts for screening into its electronic health record (EHR) software.

WBUS: Better than DBT as adjunct to mammography?January 31, 2014 -- Whole-breast ultrasound (WBUS) is still a valuable adjunct to conventional mammography, even if digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is available, according to Yale University researchers, who discovered that WBUS found some cancers that DBT missed.

USPSTF revises stance on ultrasound AAA screeningJanuary 28, 2014 -- In an update on Monday to its 2005 recommendations for ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) largely kept to its previous recommendations for men while adding nuance to its suggestions for screening in women.

Is point-of-care ultrasound the new stethoscope?January 27, 2014 -- The role of point-of-care ultrasound in developing countries, the need for early ultrasound education, and the expansion of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound are among the featured topics in the latest issue of the World Heart Federation's Global Heart journal.

AJR: Using ultrasound 1st for appendicitis saves moneyJanuary 14, 2014 -- Using ultrasound as a first-line evaluation tool for patients suspected of having appendicitis -- and sending equivocal cases on to CT -- reduces radiation dose and saves healthcare dollars compared with a CT-only protocol, according to a new study in the January American Journal of Roentgenology.

Making a Difference as a SonographerEchocardiographer Doug Wuebben shares the story of a sonographer who battled severe work-related injuries. Her story is all too familiar, but there are steps those in her shoes can take.